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Pip assessors report

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11 months 4 weeks ago #285430 by Twinkle
Pip assessors report was created by Twinkle
Hoping someone can help with this question.. My son had a pip telephone assessment recently and received PA4 which only awarded him 2 points for needing prompting to engage with others. He previously scored 11 points in 2018.
The hcp rushed his assessment and didnt ask what his day was like, nor did he write everything down that was relayed. The hcp basically said because he was now working 35 hrs per week he didn't have any MH issues and went on to say "why do you need CBT when you are working full time" when my son said GP had referred him for CBT a number of weeks ago.
My son still struggles with anxiety and low mood and although he works hybrid mainly (admin job no customer contact) he continues to need and received a lot of family support, The assessor mentioned in one part of his report that medication was stopped due to poor effect and that as CBT was a number of years ago, then basically he was fine now. But has acknowledge he has anxiety hence the 2 points for engagement. However, he has not considered anxiety in any of the other activities at all, and basically says not relevant as has had no specialist input since 2018 or memory clinic input. and he works full time. He has started his fist job in march of this year and purposely choose a hybrid position so he could cope with working.
There is no reason for memory clinic input as my son did not indicate that he had significant memory issues and surely a memory clinic is for suspected dementia ? My son did indicate that due to excessive anxiety, he had difficulty sleeping which resulted in poor sleep and therefore this impacted his mood, motivation etc. The reason he works hybrid is because he can work from home, in his own environment without distractions etc.
I find that this hcp report is flawed as he copied and pasted the reason for each zero points in each activity due to my son being in full time employment, no medication and no specialist input since last assessment.. Prior to this review assessment he was at university. So, my question is how can the hcp make such a difference between someone studying at university and working and therefore zero points being awarded. Also the assessor did not mention lots of the information given to him and omitted relevant information from the report.
He also mentioned further evidence dated 2020, and I know nothing about this whatsoever as I always keep records of what I sent. There was no pip assessment since 2018, wo what evidence dated 2020 is he even talking about I wonder?
I see inconsistencies in his report, such as the time finished differs by 11 mins according to phone record.
Any advice appreciated as I know this will likely be a refusal by the decision maker.
Sorry for the rambling!
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11 months 4 weeks ago #285443 by BIS
Replied by BIS on topic Pip assessors report
Hi Twinkle

I'm sorry you find yourselves in this position.

If you're going to write to the decision maker - you only have a small window of time. Do not focus on any issues that will not impact the scoring (such as the call length). As annoying as it may be - you have to address the issues raised.

No specialist input - well he's just waiting for that to come through! There is a long waiting list for such services and the GP would not have referred him if he thought he didn't need it. Make sure you emphasise why he needs that help.

No medication - The DWP always focuses on this - so just explain why he doesn't take any. Just because he doesn't take any it doesn't mean he doesn't need any. Has he discussed medication with his GP recently?

Working 35 hrs a week. People work and get PIP - the assessor should have asked more - but I can see how someone can just write that off as an improvement from university if they did;'t actually ask!

You say that your son continues to need support. Did you make it clear where he needs the support against the relevant PIP criteria? Has he had any trouble with working. He has no customer contact, but does he have difficulties starting the work, getting through the day? Has he had any trouble with the work? Have any reasonable adjustments had to be made? Does he have to be encouraged to fulfil his work?

If he's sleep poorly because of his anxiety, where does this impact on the other questions? Go back and make sure that you made it clear. Perhaps you did explain, but it is common for them not to record everything that was said and they don't necessarily ask what someone's day is like (which is odd when they want to know where he needs care for daily living!)

Do have a look at the guide to PIP claims and reviews and see if there is anything you missed out. (I'm not saying you did).

Get that letter in quickly to the decision maker and say that you reserve the right to put in for an MR if needed.

BIS

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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11 months 4 weeks ago #285466 by Twinkle
Replied by Twinkle on topic Pip assessors report
Thank you kindly for your reply... much appreciated indeed. My son is still waiting on the actual decision from the decision maker, at the minute he has only received the PA4 which is the assessors report which clearly only says he meets description 9b. engaging with other people. need promoting and encouragement.
So, basically it is very likely the decision maker will indeed award the same points based on the assessors recommendations.
So I'm trying to prepare ourselves in advance of this dreaded decision.
Yes you are correct the assessor did not record everything that my son explained. However, we did record the telephone assessment ourselves and did not tell the assessor this (i believe it is not a legal requirement to inform the assessor as it is for personal use) However, can we use extracts of this recording as evidence when we challenge the decision. Such as the decision maker did not make note of the following: x y z which clarifies clearly the difficulties my son has. etc - can we refer to the recording??
Would getting my sons patients records for the day he seen the GP and was referred to CBT help his case, or do I actually need this as evidence. I'm concerned as the decision maker could say we just made this up.
Thank you

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11 months 4 weeks ago #285479 by BIS
Replied by BIS on topic Pip assessors report
Hi Twinkle

You don't have to wait for the decision letter - you could write to the decision maker before the decision is made - though I reiterate that you only have a small window of time. It may not make a difference, but some people try. Once the decision letter comes out - if it goes against you then you put in for an MR.

I'm glad you recorded the assessment and know you don't have to tell them you have done so.

I wouldn't worry about getting the GP's notes. The DWP will believe you. Just repeat the fact that he has been referred for help.

BIS

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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